CHICKENPOX IN A TWELVE DAY OLD INFANT

Chickenpox in the very young infant has been described by several authors,¹ but the disease rarely occurs earlier than the beginning of the second week. Even though knowledge about virus diseases has increased rapidly during the past decade, there are still prominent and important features that need investigation. Often the study of a rare, unusual or extreme condition leads to important information concerning the biologic aspects of a disease. An example of this is Jenner's interest in the milkmaid's immunity to smallpox, which led him to the appreciation of an important immunologic principle. The following case is reported because it is unusual and because it provides data concerning the treatment of varicella in early infancy.

REPORT OF A CASE  L. N., a 20 year old housewife, was admitted to Walter Reed Hospital on Feb. 5, 1938, for the delivery of her second child. She had been observed monthly at